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Updated: Oct 13, 2025

qKAT: Quantitative Semi-automated Typing of Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor Genes
Published on: March 6, 2019
Human leukocyte antigen-C and killer immunoglobulin-like receptors in reproductive medicine
Edgard Rodríguez de Frías1, Miguel Fernández-Arquero2, Nabil Subhi-Issa3
1Departamento de Inmunología Clínica, IML e IdISSC, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España; Departamento de inmunología, Hospital Doce de Octubre, Madrid, España.
Abstract:
Proper communication between natural killer cells and the human leukocyte antigens of the embryonic trophoblast at the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy is essential for successful reproduction. However, specific combinations of embryonic human leukocyte antigen-C with killer immunoglobulin-like receptors on decidual natural killer cells (the immunological code of pregnancy) can be associated with obstetric morbidity and pregnancy loss. This article presents an updated review of the mechanisms underlying the interaction between embryonic human leukocyte antigen-C and maternal killer immunoglobulin-like receptors and their relevance to the physiology and pathophysiology of human reproduction.
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